Pier 1 to close Yonge Street location

Pier 1 Imports at Yonge and Shuter will close its doors on March 11, with the teensy Beach store at 1986 Queen Street East left to serve the downtown core. The Yonge and Shuter location is in a state of disarray as the last items sell, most on deep discount, like Christmas decorations on sale for 75 per cent off, home furnishings 30 per cent off previously discounted prices, and, puzzlingly, elaborate Harlequin masks for $75 to $85.

Reasons abound for the closure, but Pier 1 PR rep Harriet Burrow told us the company looks at stores on a case-by-case basis, and though she could not confirm rent prices, she did tell us that rent is a factor in store closures. The location also lacks convenient parking for shoppers to load furniture into their cars, unlike the bustling store at Eglinton and Laird.

But perhaps most telling was the woman we overheard, holding a discounted floral accent pillow and remarking, “I can find something I actually like at HomeSense.” The rival decor store, which opened a few years ago, is located mere doors away.

There are rumours that a boutique gym will take over the space, but for the time being, downtowners will have to make do with practising squat thrusts at the GoodLife across the street.